Garment-stretcher.



No. 651,209. Patented June 5, I900. E. SHAW.

GARMENT STRETCHEB.

(Application filed -Tan. 29, 1900.)

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GARM ENT-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,209, dated June 5, 1900.

Application filed January 29, 1900. Serial No. 3.119. (Nomodeh) To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR SHAW, of Swampscott, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention, which relates to trousers creasers and hangers, has for its object to provide an improved connection between the expanding-springs and side bars of hangers in which the springs and bars are separate pieces and an improved arrangement of the ends of the bars and the springs.

The invent-ion also has for its object to provide a stiffened or reinforced side bar.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a trousers creaser and hanger constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a broken sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the side bars and the spring ends. Fig. 3 represents a broken View of the inner side or edge of one of the side bars. Fig. 4 represents a section on line -i 4 of Fig. 3.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, 1 1 designate the side bars of the creaser and hanger, the same being composed of wood or a similar material and made non-integral with the end springs, which are designated by the numerals 2 and 3, respectively. Said springs are preferably made of thick wire bent or undulated in form, as shown, there being two outwardly-extending loops and one inwardly-extending loop to each spring, the sides of the middle 100p being grasped and pressed together when it is desired to contract the spring and move the side bars toward each other. The ends of the springs 2 3, as shown in detail in Fig. 2, are turned outwardly at 4t 4 and extended into relatively deep and narrow elongated recesses 5 5, cut in the bar from its inner edge, near the ends of the bar, this construction permitting the ends of the springs to play freely in the recesses, so as to-avoid resistance to the free resilient action of the springs, that would be caused by a rigid connection. edges of the hooked springs, near their ends, bear against cross-pins or stops 6, which receive the outward pressure of the springs when the latter are under tension.

The outer spring 2- will be extended beyond the ends of the side bars 1 1,formin g practicallya continuation of the line of the inner edge of said side bars, and the projecting loops of the springs will, when the stretcher is in use, project be yond the end of the trousers-leg and afford a means for suspendingthehanger on a hook or equivalent support. To permit the stretcher to be easily inserted in the trousers-leg without catching on the cloth, the ends of the side bars 1 1 are rounded over at 7 7 from the outer edge of the bars to the spring 2. This construction is also followed at 8 8 on the opposite ends of the bars.

In section the side bars 1 1 will preferably be triangular in shape, as indicated in Fig. 4, the apex of the bar at 9 having a sharp or feather edge, so as to form a crease in the trousers, while the base or inner edge is broad enough to give a degree of stiffness to the bar and accommodate the stiffening-rod, which I am about to describe. The corners 1O 10 on the edge of the bar are rounded, so as not to make marks in the cloth when it is drawn tight against them. The rounded ends at 7 and 8 also prevent the leaving of objectionable marks when said ends are within the trousers.

Lengthwise of each of the bars 1 1 on the inner side of the bar is formed a groove 11, in which is located a stiffening or reinforcing metallic rod 12, secured to the bar 1 by means of staples 13 13. This reinforcing-rod greatly strengthens the bar and prevents it from bowing and twisting when pressure is applied to it. The employment of the stiffening-rod permits of the use of comparatively light and thin side bars. Its location within the groove 11 gives the rod ample bearing on the bar 1 and also leaves the inner edge of the bar smooth and unobstructed, giving a neat appearance and adding nothing to the external dimensions of the bar.

To hold the bars 1 and the springs 2 3 together when the stretcher is not in use, I may employ staples 13 to secure the ends of the springs in the ends of the grooves 11 in a manner similar to that by Which the rods 12 are secured in the middle portions of said grooves.

A trousers creaser and hanger comprising non-metallic side bars having sharp outer edges rounded at their ends and having grooves in their inner sides and narrow elongated deeper recesses at the ends of the grooves, reinforcing rods secured perinanently in said grooves, spreading-springs independent of the side bars and rods, each of said springs consisting of a Wire bent to form 15 tWo outwardly-extending loops and an intermediate inwardly-extendin g loop, the ends of the springs being turned outwardly and extending into the elongated recesses,and means for securing the springs to the side bars.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR SHAV. itnesses:

C. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON. 

